When Chris Gebauer and friends finally broke free each day from the monotony of elementary-school math and social studies lessons to let loose in recess football games, nobody pretended to be John Elway.
There were no Dan Marinos, no Terrell Davises, no Emmitt Smiths. In Akron – population 1,711 – budding football players pretend to be Rams.
Lambertson. Behrendsen. Anderson. Davisson. These are the idols looked up to at Akron, where a strong football tradition has kept the defending champion Rams one of the best teams in Class 1A throughout this decade.
1A, the smallest 11-man classification, may be the last bastion of pure small-town football in the state. In 2A, by comparison, private schools and their open-enrollment zones rule the top of the class.
But in 1A, football games are about more than schools. They pit town against town and entire communities have a stake. The best teams, Akron especially, are built over generations.
“We always have a community supporting us and it trickles down from the town to the seniors to the juniors and on down to the little kids” said Gebauer, a 5-foot-6, 140-pound senior nose tackle. “That attitude keeps getting passed down year after year. And we’d like to be able to do our best for the town.”
Over the past 25 years, Akron has become one of the storied teams in Colorado football. While Eastern Plains neighbor Limon was winning 50 consecutive games (a streak that ended last season) and earning three straight championships, Akron qualified for six title games in an eight-year span. The Rams have four state titles to their credit, including a 27-0 win in the final game last year that completed an undefeated season. They won back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002 and one in 1985.
“I always looked up to the older players, the high school players,” Gebauer said. “It was a shock when I finally got to the high school. I could remember when I wanted so bad to be there. And finally I was there.”
The Rams’ lingering tradition is illustrated in head coach Brian Christensen, a former player who graduated from Akron in 1989, was an assistant coach from 1993-94 and took over the program in 1995.
The Rams are one of the few teams in the state still running a strict single-wing offense, a pinball-style attack that requires complicated timing. Fortunately for the players, that style is learned over several years. Christensen also leads the Akron middle school teams.
“We’ve been together a long time,” said Mick Strand, a 6-1, 220-pound senior lineman and linebacker. “By now, we can run everything pretty well. We’ve never had huge guys, and we’re not known for speed. So we have to stay fundamental.”
Said Christensen: “The kids do learn our system as seventh-graders, so they have time to grow into it. But no team lasts for- ever. It’s a testament to the kids that we’ve been fortunate each year.”
Akron is an overwhelming favorite this season to repeat as champion. In a poll of 1A coaches, nearly everyone pointed to the Rams as the team to beat.
“They’ve got things down to a fine art,” Highland coach Todd Matkin said. “They’d probably give most 4A teams a run for their money.”
Playing in the North Central Conference, perhaps the toughest league in 1A, Akron faces stalwarts in Lyons, Wray, Highland and Denver Lutheran.
Add other schools with fine traditions, including Holyoke and Wiggins, and relative newcomer Front Range Christian, and Akron’s task each year remains tall.
“I think there’s Akron and then there’s everybody else,” Rocky Ford coach Eric McCrae said.
The Rams will be led by Strand and Gebauer and seniors Jorgen Anderson, a running back and safety; Duncan Krause a tight end and defensive end; Trent Campbell, a lineman; Joe McKay, running back and linebacker; and junior Benj Vigil, a linebacker.
“We run into teams that are by far more athletic and more talented,” Strand said. “We just play as a team. A bunch of guys playing for each other will always beat a bunch of guys looking out for themselves.”
Staff writer Nick Groke can be reached at 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com.
Top 10
1. Akron
It’s the Rams, then the rest of the field. The defending champions return their core and will be tough to stop.
2. Burlington
Perhaps the largest team in Class 1A, the Cougars could muscle their way to the top.
3. Lyons
The Lions survived the toughest conference in 1A last season (a major feat), only to get beat by a league rival in the title game.
4. Byers
This is the season the Bulldogs have waited for; they’re loaded with skilled seniors.
5. Limon
The 50-game winning streak is history, and the Badgers are back on Earth. But they’re speedy, skilled and know how to win.
6. Hayden
Perhaps the class of the Western Slope, the Tigers are looking to get past the quarterfinal hump.
7. Dolores
Missing the 2006 playoffs was more a minor blip than a full downturn in an otherwise successful decade for the Bears.
8. Wray
Expectations here are back to where they were earlier this decade: The Eagles expect to be in the thick of things come November.
9. Custer County
The Bobcats must survive a competitive Santa Fe Conference, but with recent playoff experience, they should know how.
10. Highland
Among Cinderella candidates (Grand Valley, Lutheran and Sanford, among others), the Huskies may have the best outside shot at a title.
Players to watch
Jared Adams, Lyons, Sr., RB-LB, 6-2, 180: An honorable mention all-stater last season, Adams gives the Lions playmaking potential.
Jorgen Anderson, Akron, Sr., RB-S, 6-0, 160: The Rams, a running team through and through, will split carries among Anderson and fellow senior Joe McKay.
Tyler Barry, Dolores, Jr., RB-CB, 5-7, 150: One of the best backs in the state, according to longtime coach Don Story. Barry is a shifty, cutting runner.
Nat David, Burlington, Sr., WR-CB-Ret., 5-8, 150: A first-team all-state selection last season, he’s the Cougars’ big-play threat.
Chris Gebauer, Akron, Sr., NT, 5-6, 140: A third-year starter and a perfect example of Akron’s team discipline. What other school has a dominant 140-pound nose tackle?
Tyler Jensen, Grand Valley, Sr., WR-DB, 6-3, 185: “The best hands I’ve seen in 13 years,” coach Mike Johnson said. He’s getting looks from Colorado State, Wyoming and Air Force.
Dylan Kildahl, Highland, Sr., TE-LB, 6-4, 240: Will play for Wyoming next season as a defensive end or linebacker.
Austin Kinnison, Highland, Sr., RB-NT, 5-9, 240: The 3A state wrestling champ in the heavyweight division, he’s an all-around natural athlete.
Coy Letlow, Hayden, Jr., RB-LB, 5-11, 185: Rushed for more than 1,800 yards last season as a sophomore. Look for him to top the rushing leaders again this season.
Kasey Martin, Byers, Sr., OL-DL, 6-3, 245: A four-year starter for Byers, his job will be to keep pressure off the Bulldogs’ passing game.
Lance Martinez, Del Norte, Jr., RB-SS, 6-0, 160: A playmaker on both sides of the ball, he will need to play above his head to keep a young squad above water.
Aaron Orr, Wray, Sr., QB, 6-2, 180: The quarterback to watch in 1A, Orr survived a preseason injury scare and will be a key player for the Eagles.
Nick Rinehart, Burlington, Jr., OL-DL, 6-4, 215: One of two returning first team all-staters at Burlington, he will anchor the Cougars’ running game.
Zach Scherrer, Limon, Sr., TB, 6-1, 180: On the quickest team in 1A, Scherrer is the Badgers’ fastest player. He’ll look to break away down the sidelines.
Cody Sciro, Lyons, Sr., QB, 6-0, 160: The fastest player the Lions will line up, which serves them well in their run (and run some more) offense.
Eric Steitz, Byers, Sr., WR, 5-11, 160: In the Bulldogs’ high-scoring pass attack, expect Steitz at or near the top of the 1A scoring leaderboard.
Joe Stone, Limon, Sr., WR, 6-3, 190: Finished with more than 750 yards in receptions last season and should again be one of the top wide receivers in 1A.
Mick Strand, Akron, Sr., OL-LB, 6-1, 220: A returning all-state linebacker, he also is called to pull often from the O-line in the Rams’ single wing.
Taylor Morgan, Cripple Creek-Victor, Sr., RB-FS, 6-3, 195: This speedster helped lead the Pioneers’ basketball team to the playoffs. And he threw the ball 90 yards in the air during a preseason practice.
Steven Turecek, Byers, Sr., TE-LB, 6-0, 200: A first-team all-state player last season, Turecek will be one of the Bulldogs’ senior leaders.
Fred White, Custer County, Sr., QB, 6-0, 170: One of the individual highlights of the Santa Fe Conference, he will be the key to the Bobcats’ season.
Best games
Here are 10 games you don’t want to miss:
FRIDAY
Wray at Burlington: An Eastern Plains rivalry game and a great way to kick off an entertaining 1A schedule.
FRIDAY
West Grand at Lyons: Two of the better teams in recent years face off in a long-distance nonleague matchup.
SEPT. 21
Wray at Akron: Wray’s brutal start to the season, with games against Burlington, Yuma and Highland, culminates here.
SEPT. 28
Limon at Burlington: Two of the best teams in 1A clash in one of the most eagerly awaited regular-season games.
SEPT. 29
Hayden at Dolores: Another unusual nonleague matchup, this will provide a good comparison of the Western Slope and Southern Peaks leagues.
OCT. 12
Lyons at Akron: More than a rematch of the 2006 championship game, this could decide the pivotal North Central Conference.
OCT. 12
Hayden at Grand Valley: The preseason Western Slope favorites face off in what hopefully won’t be traditional mid-October weather.
OCT. 20
Limon at Byers: This late-
season matchup could have a domino effect for postseason seeds that impacts the entire class.
OCT. 26
Custer County at Rocky Ford: The final game on each team’s schedule, it could have the Santa Fe League title at stake.
OCT. 27
Sanford at Dolores: The final game on their regular-season schedules, this could decide the Southern Peaks title.
